Background and Aim: More thrust is being given by the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) of the Government to achieve the goal of leprosy elimination in the districts and blocks reported to be high endemic for leprosy in the country. Present study was done with an aim to determine current epidemiological situation in context of social-political disturbance and difficult geographical terrain of Gadchiroli district and to identify and assess factors and determinants for leprosy endemicity in Gadchiroli district. Material and Methods: The study was conducted during 2013-14 (April to June 2013) in 10 PHCs in 3 blocks of Gadchiroli district. As per the guidelines of EVD, average 5000 population per Primary Health Center (PHC), (total-50,000 population) was the target for the study in 10 PHCs. To reach these population 129 villages from 29 sub-centres under 10 PHCs in 3 blocks of the district were selected. The leprosy suspects were screened by experienced NLEP personnel and leprosy diagnosis was confirmed. Results: 44,650 (95.3%) people were examined out of 46,862 people enumerated of by the trained PHC staff under the guidance of NLEP staff. No significant difference was observed between the genders among the population examined. The block wise population examination ranges from 93.6% to 96.6% and highest was achieved in Aheri block. The mean NCDR was 31.4 per 100,000 populations in the 3 selected blocks of Gadchiroli district. Maximum NCDR (16.2) was reported from Etapalli block while lowest NCDR (54.4) was reported from Aheri block per 100,000 populations. Conclusion: The study concludes the imperative need for periodical validation of the leprosy burden in areas with uneven distribution of leprosy especially in difficult terrain and affected by socio-politically disturbance as revealed in the study.

Keywords: Geographical; Leprosy; Primary Health Center; Sub-center.